Roses Do Smile

 Anael Bodwell What does it mean to be 13? What was your obsession when you were 13? Do you have idea what is likely going on in the mind of your 13-year old daughter, niece, cousin, sister or neighbor? Our guest, Anael Bodwell , 24, from Seychelles , reflects on the journey of her life since she clocked 13. Exclusive to this Blog, we present you this amazing daughter of Africa, who is doing her best together with her team to help solve some of the continent's major problems--teen pregnancy, reproductive health, conservation, environment and sustainability. Welcome! Andrew Adedayo Adetoye Lead Host Smol Group Background Anael At the Young African Leaders Initiative Town Hall Meeting held in Washington DC., on August 3rd, 2016, President Barack Obama said: ''....six years ago, I launched the Young African Leaders Initiative.  Because I've always believed that one person can be a force for positive change; that one person, as Bobby Ke...

 Once upon a time, it was rare for African parents to believe that their young daughters know so much when it comes to love and marriage. It was common to see parents marry their daughters away without their consent. And when an elder son in the family is getting married, his younger sisters had little or nothing to contribute when there are family meetings aimed at planning the wedding and engagement. If a young daughter in the house decides to express her opinion issues bothering on marriage, the elders or her parents would yell at her, ''Shut up. What do you know?'' But that was back in those days. Today, girls don't just know so much about love, dating and marriage, they are also 'pushing' their way through 'barriers' to make their voice heard loud and clear. Luckily for them, the social media space offers everyone, young and old, amazing platforms to share. Meet Anita Odure Odeh , the young and pretty undergraduate of Mass Communica...